more than 11 days after sandy hit. >> this is a crisis of epic proportions. this is a natural disaster. we are here as one community together to send a message. we've had enough. >> pole tellingses directed their anger at the long island power authority. now, the company says it has more than 8,000 linemen and tree trimming crews making progress. >>> they are just now returning to see their homes, the de station that this storm left behind. cnn's susan candiotti caught up with one couple as they toured their flooded house. >> reporter: with sandy's storm clouds gathering, sue evacuated, but over her objections, husband bill stayed behind. it was traumatizing. >> road out the storm until friday morning. friday morning i said i couldn't take anymore because they turned our gas off. when they turned the gas off, that was the end for me. i told my wife i would walk across a bridge if i had to but i was getting off. >> arm with the police pass, the retired new jersey fire chief married to wife sue for 20 years, allowed others back on pelican island for a few hours